A17643:251
Commentary upon the Epistle to the Romans
A commentary upon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans, written in Latin by M. John Calvin, and newly translated into English by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessary table for the better and more ready finding out of certain principal matters contained in this workA commentarie vpon the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romanes, written in Latine by M. Iohn Caluin, and newely translated into Englishe by Christopher Rosdell preacher. Whereunto is added a necessarie table for the better and more readie finding out of certayne principall matters conteyned in this worke
London: printed by Thomas Dawson for John Harison and George Bishop, 1583London: printed by Thomas Dawson for Iohn Harison and George Bishop, 1583
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
10. As it is written, Hitherto he hath used reasons to ⟨p. 36⟩convince men of their iniquity. Now he beginneth to argue from authority: which is the surest kind of proof with Christians, so that the authority be given unto the only God.1 And here let Ecclesiastical persons learn what is their office. For if Paul here affirm no doctrine which he also confirmeth not by certain testimony of Scripture: much less is this thing to be attempted of them, whose whole charge is this, to preach that Gospel which they have received by the hands of Paul and others. There is none righteous. Seeing the Apostle allegeth rather the sense then the words absolutely, before he would descend unto the particulars, he seemeth first to have put down in general, what is the sum of those things which are noted by the Prophet to be in man: namely,2 that none is just, and afterward to reckon up particularly the fruits of this unrighteousness. And the first is, that there is none that understandeth. And this foolishness is straightways reproved, because they seek not God. 3For vain is that man in whom the knowledge of God is not, what knowledge soever he have besides. Yea, the sciences and faculties themselves, which in them selves are good, yet are made but vain in us, if they want this foundation.
10. As it is written, Hetherto hee hath vsed reasons to ⟨p. 36⟩conuince men of their iniquitie. Nowe hee beginneth to argue from authoritie: which is the surest kinde of proofe with Christians, so that the authoritie bee giuen vnto the onely God.1 And heere let Ecclesiasticall persons learne what is their office. For if Paul here affirme no doctrine which hee also confirmeth not by certaine testimonie of Scripture: much lesse is this thing to be attempted of them, whose whole charge is this, to preache that Gospell which they haue receiued by the handes of Paule and others. There is none righteous. Seeing the Apostle alleadgeth rather the sense then the wordes absolutely, before he would descende vnto the particulers, he seemeth first to haue put down in generall, what is the summe of those things which are noted by the Prophet to bee in man: namely,